Is a Focus on Physical Activity Making Playtime Less Fun for Kids?

The national concern with obesity in children might be ruining playtime for your kids.

A new study from the University of Montreal sought to define what “play” means for kids. Researchers interviewed 25 children aged seven to 11 and asked them to describe how they like to play. What they found was that the physical component of playtime was only one part of what made it fun — having the freedom to not follow a schedule or routine and feeling some sort of risk element are top priorities for children. And not all play has to involve physical activity, either; playing games, reading, or watching movies were just as important as the running around part of playtime.

The debate on childhood obesity has put pressure on adults — parents and teachers alike — to emphasize physical activity in children. Efforts like Let’s Move! and KaBOOM! are trying to bring access to play to children who may not have options when it comes to staying active. In the USA, more than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, so the need to get children to exercise more is definitely an important issue. But what about the emotional and social elements of playtime that isn’t based around exercise?

The scientists of the Montreal study found that there is “a dissonance between children’s play promoted for physical health and the meaning of play for children as emotionally contingent, intrinsically motivated, and purposeless.”

Being allowed the freedom to enjoy time without scheduling or meaning is what allows children to explore their creative, imaginative sides. Studies show that a decline in playtime can lead to anxiety, depression, and problems of self-control and attention. Exercise can be fun, yes, but giving kids the option to spend their free time as they see fit is what ultimately allows them to relax.

So, in the immortal words of Pink Floyd: “Teacher, leave them kids alone!”

[Pic via Flickr - Phalinn Ooi]